Iowa Governor Calls for End to Film Tax Credit Program as Separate Trials Ordered

“I think we have to do it. I think that’s the right approach,” Polk County District Judge Arthur Gamble said in granting defense motions to separate the trials for Wendy Weiner Runge, Matthias Alexander Saunders and Zachary LeBeau, three Minnesota residents each charged with one class B felony count of ongoing criminal conduct and 11 class C felony counts of first-degree fraudulent practices for allegedly making false and inflated claims for state tax credits involving multiple film projects.

The outside auditor’s report described a film office in chaos, with fragmentary records, no support staff, and almost no documentation to support the giveaway that could amount to $121 per Iowan. Credits were claimed for non-cash expenses such as “consideration” for having your name in the credits, and even for the costs of brokering the credits. They were also issued in advance of expenses. Strawman Iowa LLCs were used to claim credits for non-Iowa expenses.

The problems in Iowa’s tax credit program could easily be found in other states.

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